Introduction: An Overview of the Third Voyage of Christopher Columbus
The third voyage of Christopher Columbus, which began on May 30, 1498 from Sanlúcar de Barrameda and concluded on November 25, 1500 in Cádiz, was an important transoceanic expedition commanded by Columbus himself. Its main objective was to continue the exploration and colonization of the newly discovered lands on behalf of the Catholic Monarchs, who sought to expand their empire and consolidate their dominion in the New World.
During this expedition, Columbus sailed to the southern Caribbean and reached the northern coast of what we now know as Venezuela. This contact with the South American continent marked a significant milestone in the era of European discovery, as it allowed new lands to be identified beyond the previously explored Caribbean archipelago.
The voyage also provided valuable knowledge about the ocean currents and climatic conditions of the tropical Atlantic, contributing to the future development of more efficient shipping routes. Despite the challenges faced during this journey, including tensions with the settlers and administrative problems upon returning to Spain, the expedition reinforced European determination to explore these unexplored territories even further.
Preparations for the Third Trip: Challenges and Expectations
On February 6, 1498, two caravels set sail from the port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda under the command of Captain Pedro Fernández Coronel. This expedition carried supplies and at least 55 soldiers destined for Hispaniola.
Months later, on May 30 of the same year, Christopher Columbus also left the same port with a considerably larger fleet made up of eight ships: Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Castilla, Mabel, La Rábida, Santa María de Guía, Gaza and Cowgirl. This fleet was equipped with a total crew of 226 people.
Christopher Columbus set out on a journey south with his fleet, taking an unconventional route to Madeira.
This path was chosen strategically to avoid the French fleet that was waiting near Cape Saint Vincent.
His first destination was the island of Porto Santo and continuing his journey, he headed to Funchal on the island of Madeira before leaving on June 19 for the San Sebastián anchorage in La Gomera, part of the Canary archipelago.
At this crucial point, he divided his fleet: six ships sailed directly towards Hispaniola while he continued with two caravels and a nao to cross the Atlantic from a more southern latitude. This tactic had the objective of leaving Hispaniola to the north when reaching the Indies and finding larger lands that were not just islands.
On June 21, 1498, he set sail from La Gomera to the Cape Verde Islands and subsequently raised sail on July 4 off the island of Santiago, thus continuing his tireless quest to discover new lands that would change the course of world history.
Navigation and Key Discoveries during the Trip
The sailor Alonso Pérez played a vital role in sighting land on July 31, 1498, when he spotted three mountains on an island: the island of Trinidad. Although Columbus thought Trinidad was part of the Asian archipelago known as the Indies, it was actually facing a part of the South American continent unknown to Europeans.
During the months of August and September 1498, Christopher Columbus carried out significant exploration in the Gulf of Paria, located in present-day Venezuela.
Sailing through the south of Trinidad, near the Boca de Serpientes, Christopher Columbus approached the delta of the Orinoco River and was impressed by the imposing force of its waters. He compared this powerful current to the Guadalquivir River during its flood periods, thus highlighting the magnitude of the natural phenomenon it faced. During one particular night, while he was near the mouth of the Orinoco, a gigantic wave generated by the river current and tides almost threatened to capsize his ship.
On August 3, 1498, Christopher Columbus arrived ashore in Macuro, where he stayed for 12 days and managed to establish good relations with the local indigenous people. During his stay, one particular observation caught his attention: the predominant presence of fresh water in the area.
This phenomenon was due to the mouth of a mighty river that could only have its origin on dry land. The discovery was significant because it demonstrated the existence of large land masses unknown to 15th century Europeans.
After exploring the Paria Gulf, the expedition headed northwest and crossed the Dragon’s Mouth, where they discovered three strategically located islands in the Caribbean Sea. Two of these islands, today known as Coche and Cubagua, were small, low and arid, standing out for their dry and infertile terrain. Separated by a channel was a third island, larger and richer in vegetation.
This island was inhabited by indigenous people who called it Paraguachoa. According to various historians, this name could be translated as “fish in abundance”, referring to the rich maritime resources that surrounded the island; while others suggest it means “people of the sea”, perhaps reflecting its inhabitants’ deep connection to the ocean.
Christopher Columbus, upon discovering this new island, called it La Asunción, in commemoration of the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a Christian holiday that coincided with the time of the discovery.
However, a year later, in 1499, the navigators Pedro Alonso Niño and Cristóbal Guerra made an expedition to the same region and found a surprising abundance of pearls there. Impressed by this valuable natural and economic discovery, they decided to rename the island La Margarita.
Difficulties Encountered: Conflicts and Internal Problems in the Expedition
From the island of Margarita, Christopher Columbus undertook a journey northward, reaching the island of Hispaniola. Here he sought the new city founded by his brother Bartolomeo Colombo, Santo Domingo. He arrived there at the end of the month and found another brother, Giacomo.
Disembarking in Santo Domingo, he found a tense situation. A group of Spaniards, led by Francisco Roldán, had rebelled against Bartholomew Columbus due to their discontent with the promised riches that failed to materialize in the New World.
Francisco Roldán, mayor of Isabela, in 1499, with many men behind him, rebelled against the three brothers. Bartolomeo sought a truce in vain, so Roldán and the deserters abandoned Santo Domingo. Initial expectations of finding abundant gold were not met, which generated frustration among the settlers.
Furthermore, the strict conditions imposed by Bartholomew Columbus contributed to widespread unrest. Roldán managed to gain the support of some indigenous people by offering them relief from paying tributes in gold and managed to add a significant part of the Spanish colonists and settlements in Hispaniola, except La Vega and La Isabela, to the rebel cause.
Faced with this critical situation, Christopher Columbus attempted to negotiate with the rebels in 1499, offering significant concessions such as allowing the personal use of the indigenous people and amnesty to the rebels. This negotiation also included retroactive payment of salaries owed for two previous years for those who wished to return to Spain or settle with the Taínos. These agreements reflect a desperate attempt to restore peace and maintain control over the colony while facing considerable internal challenges.
The island of Hispaniola, far from being a source of wealth for the Spanish crown, had become an economic burden due to the constant expenses required for its maintenance and development. These persistent concerns and complaints did not go unnoticed by the Catholic kings, Ferdinand and Isabella, who decided to take matters into their own hands to protect their interests in the New World. In response to the critical situation, investigative judge Francisco de Bobadilla was sent with the task of investigating accusations of maladministration.
Bobadilla arrived in Santo Domingo on August 23, 1500 with full authority to evaluate and correct any administrative irregularities he might encounter. This step marked a crucial point in the relationship between the Columbuses and the Spanish Crown, as it indicated a shift towards more direct control over the American colonies by the Spanish government.
When Francisco de Bobadilla arrived in Hispaniola, he found a tense and dangerous situation: the bodies of two Spaniards and the murder of Adrián de Muxica, one of Roldán’s followers. Aware of the prevailing disorder, Bobadilla acted quickly and decisively, first arresting Diego Colón, who was the only one present in the city. Subsequently, he arrested Christopher Columbus and his brother Bartholomew, sending them in chains to Spain in October 1500. Upon arriving in Cádiz on November 25 of the same year, Columbus was freed thanks to the support of Isabel la Católica.
However, this liberation came at a high cost: Columbus had to renounce the rights previously granted in the New World. In an attempt to restore order and authority in Hispaniola, in 1501 Nicolás de Ovando was appointed as the new governor to replace Bobadilla. This change marked a new chapter in Spanish colonial administration and reflected efforts to consolidate its control over newly discovered lands.
Conclusion: Reflections on the Legacy of Christopher Columbus’ Third Voyage
Christopher Columbus’ third voyage, although less known than his first two expeditions, left a significant legacy in the history of exploration and cultural exchange.
This voyage highlighted the growing tensions between Columbus and the Spanish Crown due to his management of the new lands and his inability to find the promised riches.
Despite these personal challenges, the third voyage contributed to European understanding of the New World and spurred future exploration. Later expeditions benefited from Columbus’ knowledge of ocean currents and trade winds. Furthermore, this voyage underlined the need for more structured administration in the newly discovered territories.
The legacy of Christopher Columbus’ third voyage is complex but fundamental to understanding how interactions between Europe and the Americas developed over the following centuries.
